Tape perforating apparatus



Aug. 3, 1943. w. LEATHERS TAPE PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1942 2 SheeliS--Sheer 1 ..5/ .mW/Mw T N Nh. R Ei O wm n Ilz .A d Mm Aug. 3, 1943. w. LEATHERS TAPE PERFORATNG APPARATUS Patented Aug. 3, 1943 PERFORATING APPARATUS Ward Leathers, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Inter-national Business` Machines Corporation,

New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 23, 1942, Serial No. 452,049

9 Claims. (Cl. 164-112) 'I'he improved tape perforating apparatus comprising the present invention is primarily adapted for use in connection with the perforating of a continuous strip of tape according to a selected code, which may, if desired, be the Telelector code system shown in an application for U. S. Letters Patent to Ward Leathers, Serial No. 349,975, iiled August2, 1940, for Meter reading apparatus. In this code system an elongated strip of tape is perforated inA each of a series of successive index point positions by a four-line series of perforations. The invention, however, is susceptible to modification and the principles of the same'may be employed in the perforation of a continuous strip of tape regardless of the specific code employed or of the number of lines of perforations employed thereby.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a unitary, compact perforating apparatus which is extremely eicient in its operation and which employs a series of solenoids for .operating the actual tape perforating punches,

solenoid magnet normally is maintained spaced A from the punch agtuating device whose movements it controls, so that upon energization of the magnet a hammer effect is obtained by the armature on the punch-operating mechanism, and the armature is caused to recoil under the impetus of the impact so as to clear itself from the return stroke. of the punch-operating mech! anism and thus permit this latter mechanism to effectively and rapidly clear the tape.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a solenoid actuated vtape perforating mechanism of the character set forth above, wherein there is employed a single solenoid for operating the driving mechanism for the tape and a single solenoid isemployed for applying drive perforations thereto, the two solenoids being mechanically and electrically interconnected for positive simultaneous actuation thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solenoid actuated tape perforating apparatus wherein the perforating punches are actuated in an'extremely eiiicient and positive manner so on the part of the punches.

Another objectof the invention is to provide an apparatus vof this character wherein the stroke of the punches may be varied to accommodate tape having different characteristics.

Another object of the invention in a machine of this character is to provide a novel and ex tremely elicient tape `receiving chuck having means associated therewith for ejecting a roll of tape from the chuck without the necessity of exerting manual force on the roll which might tend to distort the roll.

Another object of the invention in this type ofmachine is to provide a novel and eilicient method of disposing of the tape. punchings or chips (as they are called) and toward this end the invention contemplates the provision of a vacuum or suction device for withdrawing the chips from the. vicinity of the perforating station,

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel and ecient form of tape'guiding means having associated therewith tape tensionlng means for holding the tap'etaut in the straightaway portion thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of pressure device for holding the tape rmly against the bed plate during the tape perforating operations and for releasing the tape completely from its driving connection in the machine when the tape perforating operations have been concluded.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tape perforating apparatus in which the tape although intermittently advanced through the machine is positively and firmly handledwhile at the same time no excess tension or binding of the tape is encountered, thus contributing toward a completely perforated tape which is free 'from tears, rips and other defects of this nature. v .l

A further object of the invention is to provide a tape perforating apparatus having means for normally advancing the tape in one direction intermittently in order that perforations may be formed in the tape at the successive index point positions, and also having means for uniformly reversing the movement of the tape, the latter means being operative to render the former means inelective when said latter means becomes eifective.

The provision of an apparatus which is extremely simple in its construction; one which is comprised of a, minimum number of moving parts and which, therefore, is unlikely to get out of order; one in which the various parts thereof are duplications one of another and which parts may be constructed of relatively light sheet metal stampings thus contributing to economy of manufacture; and one which is emcient in its operation and is capable of efficiently performing the services required of it. are further desiderata that have been borne in mind in the production and development o! the present invention.

`In the accompanying two sheets of drawings comprising part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a tape perforating apparatus constructed in Vaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detailed enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a'portion of the apparatus showing the tape advancing mechanism and other parts associated therewith.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-5 of Fig. 3. l

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the tape reel holder showing a reel-ejecting Amechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I0-I Il of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 11 is a sectional 4view taken substantially along the line II-II of Fig. 1 in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 12 is a View of the spring tape lifter.

In all of the above described views like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout. e

The general appearance and arrangement of the apparatus is best illustrated iny Figs. 1 and 2. 'I'he apparatus involves in its general organization a base portion I0 in the form of a generally rectilinear casing provided with an access opening I2 in the front Wall thereof which is normally closed by means of a panel or door I4. The base portion is provided with an upper horizontal ledge or table portion I6 upon which there is mounted an intermediate casing I8 which also is generally of rectilinear design and which likewise is provided with an upper horizontal ledge or table portion 20. Seated upon the table portion is an upper casing 22 in which there is housed the various tape punching and tape advancing instrumentalities by means of which the tape is perforated according to the selected code. The three casings I0, I8 and 22 are of progressively decreasing size and are arranged in superimposed relationship in pyramidal fashion, the height of the vvarious casing and disposing of the tape punchings or .chips, together with various 'electrical apparatus including coding mechanism for actuating the punches, circuit connections therefor and 6I is the punching die proper 10.

for the driving motor, etc., such electrical apparatus not being shown in the accompanying drawings inasmuch asno claim is made herein to any novelty associated therewith.

The upper casing 22 is generally in the form of a relatively narrow box-like member having side walls 2-6, a rear wall 28, ay bottom wall 29, and a front opening 30-adapted to be enclosed by means. of a transparent inspection panel 32. The upper corners of the casing 22 at opposite longitudinal ends thereof are cut away or inclined, as at 34, and mounted on the cut-away portions are a pair of roller guide assemblies 36, over which the tape T is adapted to pass. The rollerguides 36 have associated therewith tape tensioning devices 38 for holding the tape taut in the straightaway portion thereof. The tape T is supplied in the form of a roll 40, which is removably mounted upon a chuck 42 carried by a hollow bracket 44 mounted upon the upper table portion 20, andalso secured in any suitable manner to one of theside walls 26 of the casing 22. A similar hollow bracket 46 is mounted on the table portion 20 on the opposite4 side of the casing 22 and serves to support thereon a receiving chuck 48 to which the tape T is fed. The bracket 46 further serves to support a third chuck assembly 56, similar to the chuck assembly 42, which is designed for reeling purposes, as will be described hereinafter.

.Tape issuing from the roll 40 and passing over the roller guide 36 and beneath the tensioning device 38, passes over a bed plate 52v and through a perforating station 53 at which a series of perforations are punched in the tape according to the selected code. The bed plate 52 is mounted upon. and serves to close the upper end of the casing 22.

Referring now to Figs, 3, 4 and 5, the bed plate 52 is in the form of a relatively thick steel plate secured around its periphery to the inturned upper rim 54 of the casing 22. Secured to the underneath side of the bed plate 52 is a framelike member 56 having a transverse guide portion 58 associated therewith provided with a plurality of vertical guideways 60 therein. While any suitable ninnber of guideways 60 may be employed, in the present instance four such guideways 60 in alignment, and a fifth offset guide- Way 6I have been shown in the transverse guide portion 58. The central guidewa-y 6I serves to slidably retain therein a tape perforating punch 62 for perforating a longitudinal series of center driving holes in the tape T. The remaining guideways 60 each serve to slidably retain therein a tape perforating punch 64 which latter punches are for the purpose of perforatng the code characters in the tape. The punch 62 may be of slightly smaller diameter than the punches 64 inorder that the drive hole perforations in the tape may readily be distinguished from the code character perforations. A plurality of guideways 66 are formed in the bed plate 52 in alignment with the various guideways 6l). provided in the transverse portion 58 of the frame member 56.

and overlying the region of the guideways 60 and 'I'he major portion of the die 10 is spaced above the upper surface of the bed plate 52 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the tape T, and a plurality of die4 openings 12 (see Fig. 5) are formed 4in the die plate 10 in alignment with the various guideways 66.

A transparent inverted retaining member 14 secured'to the upper side of the bed plate 52.

is secured to and overlies the die plate and is formed with a chamber or slot 'I6 therein for reception of the punchings or chips which are removed from the tape T. Means are provided for withdrawing the punchings or chips from the chamber 'I6 in a manner that will be more fully described hereinafter.

Because of the fact that the retaining member 14 is transparent, not only is the operator of the machine enabled to view the tape in the punching station to determine whetherthe chips are* being efliciently removed or whether they have become clogged in the chamber, but also he is enabled to view that portion of the tape which is.

actually undergoing punching in order that he may read the characters appearing in the particular index point position directly. above the row of punches. Thus, if for any reason whatsoever it is desired to stop the operation of the Amachine, as for example, when it is necessary to make a correction, it is unnecessary for him either to remove the retaining member 14 or to slide the tape from beneath this member to in- -spect the same.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 5, a vertical support 'I8 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 29 of the casing 22 and terminates adjacent one edge of the bed plate 52 to which it is secured. The support 18 is provided with 'a horizontal upper guide portion 80 in the form of a lateral ange having guideways 82 formed therein through which the upper ends of a plurality of thrust rods 84 extend. The thrust rods 84 correspond in number to the number of punches 62,

64, and each rod 84 is in alignment with and bears at its upper end against the lower end of a respective punch. The support 18, in addition springs are bifurcated for reception in the grooves 02. 'Ihe springs |04 serve to provide a downward thrust or bias to the various punches 62, 64, and the punches, in turn, serve to maintain the thrust rods 84 in their lowermost positions with the various thrust collars 92 seated upon their and' |20, above referred to, is provided with an armature |22 having formed thereon an operating lever or hammer 98, above mentioned, the

.various levers having contact portions |26 un-` derlying the various abutment heads 96 and remaining normally spaced therefrom a slightdistance in order that upon energization ofthe.

magnets an initial free impetus will bejimparted to the armature before actual engagement beto the horizontal ilange portion 80 is ,formed with l ange portions 86, 88 and 90 at various heights Within the casing 22.A Two of the thrust rods 84 are relatively short and project downwardly through openings provided inthe guide flange 86. An additional two of the thrust rods 84 are somewhat longer and project downwardly through openings provided in the horizontal flange 88. A third pair of the thrust rods 84 are relatively long and project downwardly through openings provided in the horizontal flange 90 carried on the support 18. Each of the thrust rods 84 is provided with a stop collar 92 which bears against the upper surface of one of the flanges 80, 86, 88 or 90, as the case may be, and

limits the downward movement of its respective thrust rod. The lower end of each of the thrust rods 84 is formed with an adjustable abutment head 96 which is threadedly received thereon and which cooperates with a hammer or operating lever 98, the movements of which are electromagnetically controlled and by means of which the rod may be elevated to force one of the punches 62 or B4, as the case may be, upwardly into cooperative engagement with the punching die 10. Each abutment head 96 has associated therewith a locking nut |00 and thus it will be seen that by rotating the abutment head 96 relative to the thrust rod upon which it is mounted and then securing the 4same in its adjusted position by means of the lock nut |00, the effective length of the thrust rod may be varied to inturn vary the stroke'of the punching die. 'I'he lower ends of each of the punching dies 62 or 64 are grooved as at |02 (see Figs. 3 and 5) and cooperating with each of the grooves |02`are a series of leaf springs |04 which are secured as at |06 to the undertween the contact portions |26 and their respective `abutment heads 96. Thus, it ywill be seen that the punches are Aactuated rather by a hammer eiect than by4 a slow driving motion, thus resulting in very positive operation of the punches.

'I'he magnets ||4, II6, ||8 and |20 cooperate with the respective thrust rods 84 which, in turn, cooperate with the punches 64 for perforating code characters in the tape T. The -magnet ||0 is employed for tape driving purposes in a manner to lbe explained presently, while the magnet ||2 cooperates-with a thrust rod 84 that in turn l cooperates with the central) hole tape perforating punch 62. The specic manner in which the various magnets I0 to |20, inclusive, are operated is not material to the present invention and they may be energized in accordance 4with any accounting system utilizing a selected code, such as, for example, the Telelector code. n such an instance, a coding mechanism designated in its entirety at |29 in Fig. 1 may be installed in any suitable location Within the lower pedestal or supporting casing I0 and it may be electrically connected to the various magnets H4, IIB, ||8

' and |20 for proper cooperation therewith so that when an input impulse is received by the coding mechanism one or more output, impulses will be applied to the magnets to operate the same.

If desired, the apparatus may be controlled externally, i. e., itmay be electrically connected by a system of cables to a remote control apparatus by means of which impulses are periodi-Y cally applied to the coder. One instance of a remote control system for the apparatus is shown in 'an application of Ward Leathers, Serial No. 349,982, led August 2, 1940, for YAutomatic: meter reading apparatus, wherein a plurality of meters located at a remote point serve to send signaling impulses to central station at which the present apparatus may be located. In such an instance where a remote control connection is proproximity to the intermediate casing I8. This Finally, the panel v| 30 may have associated therewith a starting switch |38. The various electrical connections between the control panel and the operating instrumentalities contained within the casings |0, |8 and 22 have not been illustrated inasmuch as no claim is` made herein to any novelty associated therewith. It is obvious that other forms of control'panels may be employed, if desired, or if the machine is to be operated solely by remote control from some other apparatus, the control panel |30 may be omitted altogether. these purely arbitrary details in the control of the operation of the machine the essential features of the invention are not destroyed.

Referring now to Fig. 3, a tape driving drum' |40 is freely mounted for rotation upon a shaft |42, the opposite ends of which are journaled in the frame 56 immediately beneath the bed plate 52. The bed plate 52 is provided with an opening |44 therein into which the driving drum |40 extends. A plurality of tape driving pins |46 are spaced about the periphery^of the driving drum |40 in radial fashion and these pins are of sul- -cient extent that their outer ends successively Mounted on the shaft |42 at one side of the driving drum |40 is a ratchet wheel |48 having peripheral teetl. |50 thereon corresponding in Irrespective, however, of

number to the number of driving pins |46. A

follower |52 is pivoted as at |54 to a bracket |66 suspended from theunderneath side of the bed plate 52. The outer end of the follower |52 is bifurcated as at |56 and carries between the bifurcations thereof a follower wheel |60.4 'Ihe follower |52 issprlng pressed as at |62 in such.

a manner that the follower wheel |60 bears against adjacentvteeth |5| of 'a ratchet wheel |53 and serves as a detent to limit the movement of the driving drum y|40 so that the drum will normally occupy a position wherein one or another of the driving pins |46 is in registry with one of the perforations d in tape T.

In order to drive the tape advancing drum |40, the magnet I0 is provided with an armature |64 having an extension |66 thereon to which there is secured in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of cap screws |68, a spring biased pawl-carrying arm |10 provided with a pawl |12 adjacent its outer end. The member |10 is flexed under tension in such a manner that the pawl |12 thereof engages the-periphery of the ratchet wheel |48 and cooperates with the teeth |50 thereof for driving purposes. The tension of the pawl-carrying spring arm |10 and the tension of the follower spring .|62 is such that the pawl |12 may, upon energization ofthe magnet |0, move outwardly on the teeth |50 of the ratchet wheel |48 and snap into a preset position whereupon, after deenergization of the magnet |0, movement of the armature |64 to its normal position will serve to advance the ratchet wheel |48 and consequently the tape driving drum |40 throughout a predetermined arc to ad yreverse the movement of the tape.

Vance the tape T from one index point position to the next. In order to assist the armature |64 in returning to its normal position, a leafv spring |61 is secured by means of cap screws |68 to the underneath side of the magnet ||0. The outer end of the leaf spring |61 bears against an adjustment nut |15 which is threadably received on a depending rod |1|' suspended from an anchoring pin |13, the end of which is threaded into the armature |64. By properly adjusting the nut |15 the tension upon the armature |64 tending to restore the same to its normal position may be varied.

Under certain conditions of operation it may be necessary to reverse the movement of the tape or to back the same up, so to speak. To make this possible an additional ratchet wheel |16 having teeth |18 thereon disposed in reverse relation with respect to the teeth |60 of the ratchet |46 is mounted upon the shaft |42. The number of teeth |18 on the ratchet |16 corresponds in number to the number of teeth |50 and consequently to the number of driving pins |48 on the driving drum |40. In order to impart reverse rotation to the ratchet wheel |16 and consequently the driving drum |40, a pawl is pivoted as at |82 to one end of a bell crank lever |84. The lever |84 is provided with a fulcrum |86 by means of which it is pivotally secured in the frame 56. The other end of the lever |84 is operatively connected as at |88 yto the -upper end of a connecting rod |90, the lower end of which is connected to thearmature |92 (see Fig. 1) 0f the magnet |2| contained within the intermediate casing |8. The pawl |80 carries a roller |84 which bears against and freely rides upon the inclined side of the flexible pawl-carrying spring |10. Upon energization of the magnet |2|, the thrust rod |90 will be moved downwardly, thus turning the bell crank lever |84 throughout a slight angle and causing the pawl |80 to ride upwardly on the spring |10 and engage the teeth |18 of the ratchet wheel |16.

Further movement of the pawl |80 in its normal direction of travel will cause the same to become wedged between the periphery of the ratchet wheel |16 and the pawl-carrying spring .|10, whereupon the latter spring `will become flexed so that the pawl |12l moves out of engagement with the teeth |50 of the ratchet wheel |48, thus providing clearance in order that the pawl |80 may continue to move the wheel |16 and consequently the driving drum |40 throughout a predetermined increment of rotation to back up or The tape will thus be projected rearwardly in step-bystep fashion through the slot existing between the bed plate 52 and the punching die 10 and become flexed in the straightaway portion existing between the punching die and the guide member36. Under normal conditions of operation it will be unnecessary to reverse the tape more than a few index point positions and thus there will be little danger of the tape becoming excessively flexed in this straightaway portion.

Upon resumption of operation of the machine,

as, for example, when the spacing key |34 is depressed, the slack in the tape will be taken up automatically. (lf, however, under unusual con;

ditions it is desired to reverse or back-up the tape to any considerable extent, means are provided for taking up any slack that ordinarily would exist in the straightaway portion thereof by reversing the driving connection to the chuck 42 in a manner that will be described presently.

The tape driving magnet ||0 and the tape drive hole perforating magnet ||2are preferably Apanel |30 or whether it be a remote control circuit. These magnets are also electrically connected in parallel to each of the perfcrating magnets ||4, I6, |'I8 and |20. By such an arrangement, whenever any tape perforating function whatsoever is'performed by the apparatus or whenever a tape spacing operation is performed assurance is had that the tape will be properly perforated with a center drive hole perforation for subsequent registry with one oi the pins |46 for driving purposes. As an additional precautionary measure, the two magnets |I and ||2 are mechanically coupled, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. Toward .this end, the hammer 98, which is in the form of an extension of the armature |22, is provided with a laterally extending flange 99 which underlies an extension |0| formed on the armature |64 of the magnet |I0. Each time the tape drive hole perforating magnet ||2 becomes energized to attract its armature |22, the flange 99 on the extension 88 will engage the extension |0|' and assist in moving the armature |64 to its retracted position.

In order to remove the tape punchings or chips which are forced upwardly through the punching die'10 into the chamber 16, this latter chamber communicates through a hollow tubular rod 200 (see Fig. 1), the upper end of which projects upwardly through the punching die 10, with a receiving container 204 `suitably'mounted within the lower pedestal or base portion I6. A removable closure 202 through which the rod 200 passes is provided for purposes of access to the container. A degree of vacuum may be applied to 5 end ofthe tape may initially be inserted prior to winding of the same on the chuck. A backing iiange4 6| for guiding the tape extends radially from the chuckv at the rear edge thereof.

'I'he chuck 50 is ordinarily not in service duringnormal tape perforating operations. and is employed after the completion of the perforation of aroll o1' tape for reeling the tape from the roll 4| Accordingly, means are provided whereby the chuck 50 remains at rest during such tape perforating operations and whereby the the container 204 through 'the closure 202 by means of a suction pump 208 operatively associated through a driving connection with a motor M. Any suitable type of suction pump may be employed for this purpose. The motor M may be mounted upon a platform 2 I 0 contained within the intermediate casing I8. A jack shaft 2| 2 rotatably mounted within the casing I8 is adapted to be driven by means of a `belt 2|4 from the motor M. A belt 2|6 serves to operatively connect the jack shaft 2|2 and the pump 208.

In order to assist the drum |40 in advancing the tape from one index point position to the next, means are provided for constantly applying tension to the straightaway portion of the tape in the direction of its discharge onto the roll 4|. Toward this end (see Fig. 10), the chuck 48 is provided with an extension 223 in the form of a stub shaft which projects through the hollow bracket 46 and is rotatably journaled in the opposite sides thereof. A pulley 225 is mounted upon the shaft 223 and an endless drive belt 221, preferably iii the form of a helically wound spring, passes over the pulley 225 and is operatively connected to the motor M. The ldegree of tension applied to the drive belt 221 is such that when the tappe is held at the perforating station 53 against movement, the drive belt 221 is permitted to slip over the pulley 225. Thus it will be seen that a more or less constant tension is applied to the tape, tending to assistthe driving drum |40 in advancing the tape. The chuck 48 is in the form of a hollow cylindrical drumlike member having a slot 49 therein coextensive with the width of the chuck and into which one chuck maybe set into operation when desired for reeling purposes. Toward this end the chuck 48 is formed withan extension 224 (see Fig. 6) in the form of a' stub shaft which projects through the hollow bracket 46 and is rotatably journaled in the opposite sides thereof by means of a pair of bushings 226 and 228 respectively. Apulley 230 surrounds the bushing 226 and is freely rotatable thereon. v-A drive belt 232 passes over the pulley 230 and extends downwardly into the casingv I8 andvis operatively associated with the motor- M. Keyed to a reduced portion 236 formed on the stub shaft 224 is a rotatable sleeve 238 having a series of peripheral openings 240.v

Surrounding the sleeve 238 and rotatable therewith is a laterally shiftable face member 242 formed thereon adapted to extend through the openings'in the sleeve 238. The clutch teeth 244 are designed for cooperative engagement with a series of indentations 250 formed in one side of the pulley 230. The member 242 is provided with an annular groove 252 therein adapted to receive one end of a clutch shifting spring 254 which is anchored as at 256 and biasedin such a direction that the shiftable clutch collar 242 isnormally moved out of engagement with the pulley 230. Pivoted as at 260 to one wall of the bracket 46 on the inside thereof is an arcuate-shaped arm 262 having an operating lever 264 which projects outwardly through a slot 266 in the top wall of the casing 46. The extreme inner or free end of the arm 262 is provided with a cam depression 268 therein upon which the spring 254 is adapted to ride when the operating lever is moved to one of its extreme positions, thus allowing the clutch collar 242 to be Withdrawn from engagement with the pulley 230. U n movement of the operating lever 264 to its ot er extreme position, the spring 254 will ride out of the depression 268 and cause the clutch collar 242 to be moved into engagement with the pulley 230 to impart motion to the chuck 48 from the pulley 230.

4The chuck 42 is substantially identical in its construction with the chuck 50 and similar characters of reference have been applied to the corresponding parts of the two chuck assemblies. The chuck is driven from the jack shaft 2|2 by means of a driving Ibelt 210. During normal tape perforating operations the lever 264 is shifted to its neutral position so that the tape T may be withdrawn from the roll 40 as required at the perforating station 53. However, where it isrequired to reverse the movement of the tape to any considerable extent the lever 264 may be moved to its operative position whereupon the are substantially equal to the internal diameter of the aforesaid cardboard cores while the overall diameter of the rolls is ordinarily approximately ten inches.4 In order that the rollsvmay be applied to and withdrawn from thechucks 42 A and 50, an ejecting mechanism is associated with each of these chucks. This ejecting mechanism is best illustrated in Fig. 8 wherein the chuck 42 proper is shown in detail; The chuck 42 includes a cylindrical body portion 212 having formed4 therein a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel slots 214. A pair of U-shaped spring tension members 216 have their ends frictionally held within the slots 214 and the outer sides thereof extend inwardly of the chuck 42 in spaced relation to the cylindrical body portion 212. The

free sides of the member 216 diverge slightly from the cylindrical surface of the body portion 212 but are adapted to be brought into parallelism when the cardboard form upon which the roll of tape is mounted is frictionally inserted thereover. In order that the cylindrical shape of the roll 40 will not be distorted by an attempt to remove the roll manually from its frictional enin a bore 294 formed longitudinally in the body portion 212. The plunger 292 is provided with a head 296 in the form of a finger release button which upon being engaged by the finger of the operator forces the plunger 292 inwardly into engagement with the protuberances 290 so that the ejecting fingers 280 move forwardly and emerge from the slot 286 -to force the cardboard form on which the roll of tape is mounted loose from the chuck.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, in order to hold the tape firmly against the bed plate 52 and thus insure proper registry of the driving pins |48 and the perforations d in the tape, a pressure plate 300, which is preferably in the form of a substantially rectangular block of transparent material, is positioned above the bed plate 52 in the vicinity of the driving drum |40. 'I'he plate 300 is secured in position by means of a fastening strip 302 extending along one edge thereof which is pivoted as at -304 between a pair of upstanding flanges 306 formed on a U-shaped bracket 308. The plate 302 is formed with a bifurcated extension 3|0. The pressure plate 300 is adapted to be moved from an operative position, wherein it is substantially flushwith the upper surface of the bed plate 52, to the dotted line position thereof as shown in Fig. 3 wherein it is slightly elevated from the bed plate. Toward this end a spring pressed plunger 3|2 projects upwardly through an aperture 3| 4 formed in the bed plate andy tends to normally urge the in full lines wherein it is in engagement with the extension 3|0 and wherein it serves to elevate this latter extension and force the pressure plate g 360 downwardly against'the tape.

In order that the tape T may clear the pins I 46 for purposes of removal of the tape from beneath the pressure plate 300 and die block 10, a substantially nat, relatively thin leaf spring 322 is secured to the bed plate 52 on the upper side' thereof and underlies the tape. The leaf spring 322 is provided with an opening 324 through which the driving pin's |46 may project and it is also provided with a yieldable tape-lifting flange 325 which normally occupies a position slightly. out of the plane of the upper surface of the bed plate but which is adapted to be forced into this plane by the pressure plate 300 acting through the tape when the pressure plate is moved to its operative position. The pressure plate 300 is formed with a shallow groove326 to afford a clearance for the driving pins |46 when these latter pins project upwardly above the level of the upper surface of the bed plate 52.

In the operation of the apparatus, a fresh roll l tion, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, so that as a consequence the pressure plate 300 becomes elevated to its dotted line position. The tape is then inserted into the narrow slot existing between the die block 10 and be'd plate 52 and cover the leaf spring 322 and beneath the pressure plate 300. The tape is then threaded through the other roller guide assembly 36 and beneath its tensioning device 38 and the extreme end of the tape is f1tted into theslot 49, in the chuck 48. The chuck 48 is then given a few turns manually to start the tape properly after which the same may be released. It is to be noted at this point that although the chuck 48 normally rotates, the same may be temporarily stopped for the purpose of tape insertion by the simple expedient of graspingthe same manuallyl and holding it against rotation, during which time the cord or belt 221 will slip upon the pulley 225. Upon manual release of the tape, the chuck will pick up the'same, so to speak, and draw the same from the roll 40. However, at this point the lever 3|6 is moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, whereupon the pressure plate 300 is moved downwardly to its full line position substantially flush with the bed plate 52 to engage or clamp the tape and force the same over the upper ends of the driving pins I 46. The

tape is then ready for operative perforation and prior to connecting the machine to any outside operating mechanism or prior to actuating the keyboard |30 the spacing key |34 may be depressed a few times to energize the driving hole perforating magnet H2 and the tape driving magnet ||0 until such time as the perforations formed in the tape have advanced into registry with the tape driving pins |46.

If at any time during the operation of the machine it is desired to sever the perforated tape and retain the same as an independent record, the last few character items representing data punched upon the tape may be advanced with the tape to a position wherein it has moved out from underneath the edge of the pressure plate 300.

Using the rear edge of the pressure plate lili as a tear-off edge, theltape may be severed and pulled from the roller guide assembly 3C and the severed edge attached in any suitable manner to a cardboard ring or form and the form inserted upon the chuck l0. The lever 264 may be then thrown. to its operative position wherein the chuck is driven by the drive belt 232 and the tape will then be wound on the form. 'I'he same procedure is followed after an entire roll of tape has been consumed. 'I'he cardboard form which is left from a used roll of tape may be stored for future use on the chuck 50.

The invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or'described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction may .be resorted to without departing from the spirit 4of the invention. Only insofar as the invention has been particularly pointed out in the accompanying claims is the same to be limited.

What is claimed is: I

l. In a tape perforating mechanism, a perforating station, a punching die and a plurality of cooperating tape perforating punches at said perforating station, one of said punches being adapted to perforate driving holes in the tape, a tape driving mechanism designed for cooperation with the driving holes produced in the tape by said punch, a control magnet having an armature for operating said drive hole perforating punchfa ,control magnet having an armature for operating said tape driving mechanism, means electrically connecting said magnets for simultaneous energization thereof, and means mechanically interengaging said magnet-armatures for substantially simultaneous operation thereof.

2. In a tape perforating mechanism, a vper-- forating station, a` punching die and a plurality of cooperating tape perforating punches at said perforating station, one of said punches being adapted'to perforate driving holes in the tape, a tape driving mechanism designed for cooperation with the driving holes produced in the tape by said punch, a. control magnet for operating said drive hole perforating punch including an armature having an extension thereon designed for contact with said punch, a control magnet having an armature fo'r operating said tape driving mechanism, anextension on said control magnet-armature, said first mentioned extension on the drive hole perforating magnet-armature underlyingv said last mentioned extension on the tape driving Vpunch and adapted to engage the latter and move the same upon energization perforating magnet.

3. In a tape perforating mechanism, a perforating station, a punching die and a plurality of cooperating tape perforating punches at said per- .of the drive hole forating station, one of said punches being adapted to perforate driving holes in the tape, a tape driving mechanism designed for cooperation with the driving holes produced in the tape by said punch, a control magnet for operating said drive hole perforating punch including an armature having an extension thereon designed for contact with said punch, a control magnet for operating said tape driving mechanism, an extension on said control magnets, said first mentioned extension on the drive hole perforating magnet underlying said last mentioned extension on the tape driving control magnet and adapted to engage the latter and move the same upon energization of the drive hole perforating magnet, and means electrically connecting said magnets for simultaneous energization thereof.

4. In a tape perforating apparatus, the combination with a tape perforating punching die having a series of holes therein designed for cooperation with a series of respective punchesat.

'a perforating station, of an inverted transparent cup-shaped retaining member secured to and overlying the punching die and creating in combination therewith a suction chamber into which tape punchings are projected duringv the tape punching operation and through which transparent member and suction chamber the tape is visible, a conduit for removal of said punchings communicating with the interior of said chamber and leading to a point remote from said perforating station, a receptacle for receiving the punchings into which said conduit extends, a suction pump, and means connecting said receptacle to the inlet side of said suction pump.

5. A roller guide assembly for tape perforating machines comprising a U-shaped bracket having parallel sides and a base portion, a cylindrical roller mounted for rotation between said sides and over which the tape is adapted to pass during tape perforating operations, a' follower member comprising an operating shaft extending across said sides in close proximity to said roller and projecting completely through said sides and a tape tensioning member secured to said shaft adjacent one of said sides on the outside oi' said bracket and having a portion extending over said side and movable inwardly toward the base of said bracket for engaging' the tape and tensioning the same against said base.

, 6. In a tape perforating mechanism, a perforating station, a punching die and a plurality of cooperating tape perforating punches at said perforating station, tape driving instrumentalities for advancing the' tape through said perforating station, a thrust rod for each 'of said tape perforating punches and having one end thereof normally in engagement with the latter, a control magnet for each of said thrust rods, a movable armature for each magnet, a contact portion on each armature, said contact portions being normally spaced from the other ends of their respective thrust rods and adapted upon energization of their controlling magnets to move into engagement with said ends and actuate the thrust rods, and means for selectively' energizing said control magnets.

7. In a tape perforating mechanism, a perforating station, a punching die and a plurality of cooperating tape perforating punches at said perforating station, tape driving instrumentalities for moving the tape through said tape perforating station, a plurality of substantially vertically disposed thrust rods each having its upper en-d normally in engagement with a respective punching die, a control magnet for each thrust rod, a movable armature for each control magnet, a contact portion on each oi said armatures, said contact portions underlying and being normally spaced a slight distance from the lower end of the respective thrust rod whose movements it controls and being operable upon movement from a retracted position to an advanced position during energizationv of its respective magnet to engage the lower end of its respective thrust rod and force the same upwardly tape perforating function.

8. In a tape perforating mechanism, a perforating station, a punching die and a plurality of cooperating tape perforating punches at. eem nto perform an operative forating station, tape driving instrumentalities for advancing the tape through said perforating station, a thrust rod for each of said tape perforating punches and having one end thereof normally in engagement with the latter, a control magnet for each of said thrust rods, a movable armature for each magnet, a contact portion on each armature, said contact portions being normally spaced from the other ends of their respective thrust rods and adapted upon energization of their controlling magnets to move into engagement with said ends and actuate the thrust rods, means for selectively energizing said control magnets, and means for varying the effective length of each of said thrust rods. t

9. I a tape perforating mechanism, a perforating station, a punching die and a plurality of cooperating tape perforating punches at said perforating station, tape driving instrumentalities for advancing the tape through said perforating station, a thrust rod' for ea'ch of said tape perforating punches and having one end thereofnormally in engagement with the latter, an abutment head adjustably mounted on the other end of each thrust rod, a control magnet for each of said thrust rods, a movable armature for each magnet, a contact portion on each armature, said contact portions being normally spaced from the abutment heads on the respective thrust rods whose 

